Power Packs - Yes or No

[Playadirector]

Hello Lovelies!

I am a birgin and thinking about buying this to ensure I can jump start my Camper Van if needed and have a little extra power for charging camera, maybe plugging in a heater. So, those of you smarter than me, what do you think?

https://www.greenlivingforu.com/energiz ... w-inverter

[FIGJAM]

To small for a heater and it doesn't say how many amp hours of power it carries.

[Boijoy]

I use the duracell brand & it's good for little stuff. ( small fan, & charging cell ) I use a 30w solar panel to keep it charged.
no good for a heater. if your usually cold you might consider one of those Buddy propane heaters.

[BBadger]

That thing is probably fine for charging up your camera, jump-starting your car, or other low-power stuff. Don't use it for heating; that will require 1000W or so for anything substantial. Hell, nobody should be using electricity for heat generation on the playa.

[Asquared]

i imagine you can buy jumper cables for peanuts compared to that - surely anyone will be more than willing to give you a jump in the event your battery dies.
extra batteries for my camera were $17, just buy two.
and if you get cold, find a snug bug (or bring an extra blanket!).

i just saved you $100. you're welcome.

[nixiebunny]

You can charge any USB device directly from your car's lighter socket with the right adapter. You can buy a $20 inverter at an auto parts store to charge an AC thing in the same manner. Just remember to run the engine for a while to recharge the car battery.

Those of us who power 12V stuff on the playa all week long use solar panels. I'm bringing a setup that my brother built for a robotics competition, with several 12V SLA batteries and a charge controller, along with a 40W solar panel. It will run the pumps for our solar water heater and our shower spray handle. Overkill, but it already exists so it's free to me.

If you don't like running the car engine, you can get a solar panel to keep the battery fresh. These are available at Harbor Freight etc.

[Captain Goddammit]

Actually some of the best times on the playa are early in the morning when the ravers are passed out.

[BBadger]

It is pretty serene at that time of night/day. All you need is some warm clothing though, not a heater. Hell, by the time it is coldest, the morning is starting.